Christmas harmony
Homes & Antiques|January 2023
Luke and Ben Gibbons have used neutral colours and natural textures to enhance the innate character of their 16th-century farmhouse, which is the perfect setting for festive celebrations
NAOMI JONES
Christmas harmony

When you delight in planning how to decorate your home to welcome loved ones for dinner or drinks, there's no time more magical than Christmas, believes event producer and interior designer Ben Gibbons. He and his fiancé Luke have beautifully festooned Christmas trees in the sitting room and kitchen, draped foliage elegantly around the staircase, across mantels, and along headboards and tables, and they always make sure to light candles in abundance to bring extra festive sparkle to their 16thcentury timber-framed farmhouse in the Cambridgeshire countryside. 'We've always loved Christmas,' says Ben, but this house has so much character it makes it incredibly special. Plus we now have twin baby boys, so the holidays are going to be even more memorable.'

Thankfully, this house has more than enough room to cope with the growing demands of family life, now and in the future: it has four bedrooms and four reception rooms that can all double up as home offices or playrooms, as well as entertaining spaces when required. This was the first house that Luke and I both completely agreed on,' says Ben, 'as it had it all: original features, plenty of space, and peace and quiet while still providing an easy commute to London. We knew it would need a fair bit of work, but we could see past the navy-blue decor.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HOMES & ANTIQUESView all
Lisa Coppin
Homes & Antiques

Lisa Coppin

The Cotswold Company’s chief creative officer shares the pieces that mean so much to her

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
TRAVEL
Homes & Antiques

TRAVEL

Six of the best pineta, plus a festive trip to Covent Garden. Review of The Orange, Belgravia by Katie Pike, travel stories

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
OLD SHEFFIELD PLATE
Homes & Antiques

OLD SHEFFIELD PLATE

Stumbled upon by chance, this ingenious material was a more affordable option than solid silver, and well-preserved examples are particularly desirable today

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
Merrily on high
Homes & Antiques

Merrily on high

Summoning servants since the 1700s, bell boards create instant English country-house style (even if you don't have any servants). Emma Longstaff dons her pinny

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
Let it snow
Homes & Antiques

Let it snow

Nostalgic, magical and highly collectable, snow globes are curious objects of wonder that never fail to instil joy

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2024
Velvet Crush
Homes & Antiques

Velvet Crush

Once the preserve of the wealthy, velvet finally touched all levels of society, thanks to advances in its production process

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
Celebrating in the Stable
Homes & Antiques

Celebrating in the Stable

Antiques dealer Julia von Hülsen specialises in Gustavian pieces - all of which look perfectly placed in her German home

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Homes & Antiques

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

Victorian toy theatres charming and exquisitely designed miniature worlds have inspired theatre royalty for decades. Today, the tradition is being kept alive by a small but talented network of makers

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2024
NICHOLAS LEES
Homes & Antiques

NICHOLAS LEES

The ceramic artist talks to Dominique Corlett about new ways of working with clay and blurring the edges of solid objects

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024
Candy CHRISTMAS
Homes & Antiques

Candy CHRISTMAS

Pastel hues, vintage decorations and bowls of sweet treats: the festive run-up is gloriously joyful at Bettina Færgeman's historic Copenhagen apartment, where there's an emphasis on entertaining...

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024